Ricky Martin's interview with Oprah last year -- during which he talked about coming out of the closet to set an example for his twin sons about the importance of telling the truth -- helped earn him two big honors at the 22nd annual GLAAD Media Awards.
The prizes were presented in 25 categories by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation on Saturday, during a ceremony in New York City hosted by Bravo's Andy Cohen.
Martin won the Vito Russo Award, named for the late GLAAD co-founder, and bestowed on high-profile members of the LGBT community for contributions in combating homophobia. The singer, 39, was also cited for Outstanding Talk Show Episode for his appearance on Oprah's daytime series.
"Ricky coming out was a game changer for many gay and transgender Latino children, who for too long, did not have many out gay people to look up to," GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios said.
Russell Simmons won the Excellence in Media Award; among his contributions to LGBT rights, the hip-hop mogul wrote an open letter to the U.S. Senate urging the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' and implored New York's governor to keep supporting marriage equality.
TV shows that won accolades included '30 Rock' (praised for 'Outstanding Episode' in a series without a regular LGBT character), 'True Blood' (named 'Outstanding Drama Series') and 'Anderson Cooper 360' (winner of 'Outstanding TV Journalist-Newsmagazine,' for its series 'Gay Teen Suicides).
There are 32 categories in all, and the remainder of the prizes will be awarded in ceremonies later this spring in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
For her guest role on 'Glee,' and her outspoken support of Sean Hayes (whose ability to succeed in a heterosexual role was doubted by a Newsweek columnist in 2010), Kristin Chenoweth will receive the Vanguard Award in May. The prize is for media stars who demonstrate tolerance and increase understanding of the gay community; past winners include Whoopi Goldberg, Drew Barrymore, Sharon Stone, Charlize Theron, Antonio Banderas, Eric McCormack, Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minnelli and Kathy Griffin.
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